JP2006526339A - IC device and IC device programming method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated circuit (1) comprising a comparator (9) that reads from an externally connectable element (4) and compares it with the value of a reference element (6). The comparison result is supplied to the control unit (12), and the control unit activates at least one functional block (13a, 13b) of the IC device (1) according to the comparison result. Therefore, the operation mode of the chip (1) is determined by the value (Rprog) of the externally connectable element (4) and / or the chip (1) is programmed. The principles of the present invention can be used, for example, in voltage supply elements.

Description

The present invention relates to an IC device and a method for programming an IC device.

Conventional integrated circuits can only be used after their manufacture is complete under one mode of operation provided for that purpose.

However, I want to keep the same IC element applicable to several different applications, and I want to be able to select the operation mode after completing the IC element manufacturing, for example, after chip molding or casing processing. There is a case.

Also, the voltage value of the supply voltage of several function blocks and the selection of a specific function block are determined, and further, for example, in the so-called start-up sequence, a specific function block is turned on or their initialization order is determined. You may want to determine each.

As a technique for programming such an IC element, for example, a method using a fuse stand, a dip switch or the like can be considered.

However, such known methods are associated with relatively high costs. This undesirable cost may be needed due to the increased area on the substrate and the many required additional connecting legs (pins) on the chip.

An object of the present invention is to provide an IC device that can be programmed at a low cost after completion of manufacture, that is, capable of setting a desired operation mode. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for programming an IC device, which can be performed at a low cost and allows the IC device to operate in a selectable mode of operation after manufacture is complete. There is.

The above problem is solved by an IC device according to the present invention, wherein the IC device has a first input unit arranged to connect a readable external element having a value consisting of a predetermined set of values, and a read A comparator having a second input unit connected to a reference element having a possible reference value and an output unit, connected to a connection unit of the IC device, and comparing at least one functional block of the IC device with the comparator A control unit connected to the output of the comparator is provided to control according to the result.

According to the principle of the present invention, for example, programming of an IC device that selects one of a plurality of predetermined operation modes is performed by connecting a readable external element to the connection portion of the IC. Done. This element has a readable value, for example a certain resistance value, which is compared with the reference value of the reference element. The IC device is set to a specific operation mode, that is, programmed according to the comparison result by the control unit.

The readable external element is preferably a passive element.

By selecting the value of the external element connected to the connection of the IC, virtually any of a number of different predetermined programs can be selected.

In the principle of the present invention, it is only necessary to increase one pin, that is, one connecting leg of the IC device. Thus, the programming of the IC device can be performed with very little expense.

In order to read the passive external element, for example, a signal source that generates a reference signal applied to the readable external element can be provided in the IC device.

The other connection of the readable external element is preferably connectable to a reference potential connection, eg ground.

The comparator that compares the value of the readable external element with the value of the reference element preferably includes an analog / digital converter for outputting the comparison result in a digital manner.

For example, an A / D converter with a resolution of 3 bits can be provided. In this case, eight kinds of operation states can be activated in total by simply selecting the value of the connected readable element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the analog / digital converter has a logarithmic characteristic curve. This significantly reduces the demands on tolerances of readable external elements and tolerances in further processing of the read values. For example, by using a logarithmic characteristic curve, even if a 30% tolerance resistor is used as an external element that can be read out, the readout is performed reliably, and one of a number of predetermined operation modes is set. It becomes possible to select with certainty.

The reference element may be an external connection type element or an element incorporated in the IC device.

In order to generate a highly accurate reference signal, for example, a bias current, in an IC device, an external reference element connected to a connection leg (pin) of the IC device is often provided. Examples of such a reference element include a reference resistor and an external filter capacitor. In such a case, at the same time, this element can be used as a reference element for programming an IC device based on the presented principle. In order to calculate the comparison result, it is preferable that the reference signal output from the signal source is also applied to the external reference element to read the value of the reference element.

The external reference element has a narrower tolerance than the built-in reference element.

Implementing the reference element as a built-in element is useful when an external reference element is not particularly required for the operation of the IC device and / or when the number of pins of the circuit device is required to be very low.

The reference element and the readable programmed element can be formed, for example, as a resistor or a capacitor. However, other passive elements having readable physical values can also be used.

The IC device has several functional blocks, and the control unit can control these functional blocks with various supply voltages, reference voltages and / or operating sequences according to the comparison result of the comparator.

Further, it is preferable to provide a volatile memory called a latch between the output unit of the comparator and the control unit in order to temporarily store the comparison result of the comparator.

Reading the readable value of the readable external element and comparing this value with the value of the reference element

Preferably, it is performed during the power-on period of the IC device. It is also useful to temporarily store the comparison result in order to make the comparison result available for the entire operation time of the IC.

In order to define a number of predetermined operation modes in which values of external elements that can be read can be selected and designated, it is preferable to provide a memory block for storing control parameters for each operation mode. This memory block is connected to the control unit so that the stored operation mode is activated according to the comparison result of the comparator.

The memory block is preferably provided as a so-called boot ROM (read only memory), and is read when the IC device is powered on.

Further, in order to ensure further flexibility, the boot ROM can be provided so as to be programmable, for example, by selecting a mask for a metallized surface of the boot ROM that can be programmed at the time of manufacture.

The principle of the present invention is preferably applied to a so-called power management unit, PMU, to control the power-on sequence. In this case, various pre-set sequences are defined and stored in the ROM and are selected according to the value of the readable element to be programmed in use.

Instead of ROM programmable by the metal mask, so-called Zener fuses or poly fuses, i.e. programmable ROM using programmable connections, can further increase the flexibility. In so-called fuses or antifuses of this kind, their conduction state is determined by applying an energy impulse, the conduction state being switchable between a high resistance and a low resistance.

When the reference element is provided as a built-in element, it may be useful to increase its accuracy by providing simple adjustment means for the built-in reference element.

In order to activate the signal source and the comparator after the IC device is turned on, it may be advantageous to provide an activation circuit connected to each activation input of the signal source and / or the comparator. The activation circuit is arranged to activate the comparator and the signal source as needed after the IC power is turned on, and as soon as the comparison including analog / digital conversion is completed and the result is stored, Turn off these power again.

Moreover, the said subject is solved by the programming method of the IC device of this invention including the following processes.

Read the value of the external element connected to the IC device,
Comparing the read value with the reference value and calculating the comparison result,
A selection signal for controlling the IC device is output according to the comparison result.

According to the presented process, a readable external element is connected to the IC device, and then the value of the readable external element is read. Next, this value is compared with a value read in the same manner as the reference element, that is, a reference value to obtain a comparison result. A selection signal for controlling the IC device is output in accordance with the comparison result.

Preferably, the IC device sets one of a number of predetermined operation modes according to the selection signal.

The reference value is preferably obtained by reading an external or built-in reference element. The comparison between the reference value and the value of the readable external reference element is preferably performed with the aid of an analog / digital converter. Further, it is preferable that reading of values from the readable external element and the reference element is performed by applying a reference signal generated by a signal source to the reference element when the IC device is turned on.

Further, it is preferable that the comparison result is obtained and then temporarily stored in the volatile memory so that it is prepared even after the power-on process is completed.

It is preferable that the comparison is started when the power is turned on, and then the comparator for performing the comparison and the signal source used for reading the element value which can be read out if necessary are again deactivated.

The reference signal generated by the signal source can be, for example, a reference voltage or a reference current.

In the present IC device, when a reference resistor, an external filter capacitor or a similar external passive element is provided outside, it is preferably used as a reference element. In this case, there are provided two pins to which a readable external element and a reference element are respectively connected. It is preferable to connect a reference potential connection portion, for example, a ground, to the end portion of such a passive element.

According to the method of the present invention, the IC device can be set to one of a number of predetermined operating modes at a very low cost depending on the value of a passive element that can be connected to one pin of the IC device. It is.

Further details of the proposed principle and preferred embodiments are given by the dependent claims.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to many examples.

In the following description of the drawings, elements having the same or the same function are denoted by the same symbol.

FIG. 1 shows in particular an IC device 1 having two connections 2, 3, so-called pins. A readable external element in the form of a resistor 4 is connected to the connection 2 of the IC device 1 and also connected to the reference potential connection 5. This resistor 4 is used for programming the circuit device 1 as will be described in detail later. The other resistor 6 that functions as a reference element is connected to the connection portion 3 and also to the reference potential connection portion 5. The connection parts 2 and 3 of the circuit device 1 are internally connected to the first or second input parts 7 and 8 of the comparator 9. The comparator 9 has an analog / digital converter. The comparator 9 includes an activation input unit 10 for activating the comparator 9 when the power is turned on. A control unit 12 that controls a large number of functional blocks 13a and 13b in the circuit device 1 is connected to the digital output portion of the analog / digital converter forming the output portion of the comparator 9 via the volatile memory 11.

Furthermore, a signal source 14 formed for generating a reference signal is provided and connected to the connection parts 2 and 3 of the circuit device.

The reference element 6 is not only used as a reference element for the comparator 9 based on the principle of the present invention, but also as a reference resistor for generating a bias signal required for the operation of at least one of the functional blocks 13a and 13b. Is also used.

The comparator 9 and the signal source 14 are activated by the activation input unit 10 in the power-on process of the circuit device, and the readable and programmable resistors 4 and 6 include a reference signal generated by the reference signal source 14, That is, a reference voltage or a reference current is applied. This comparator 9 compares signals that are input to the input units 7 and 8 and substantially depend on the element characteristic values Rprog and Rref of the resistors 4 and 6. The analog / digital converter determines the ratio between the characteristic values Rprog and Rref of the two external elements 4 and 6, and outputs a comparison result corresponding to the digital method to the output unit. The comparison result is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device memory 11. Next, the comparator 9 is deactivated together with the analog / digital converter and the signal source 14.

The control unit 12 can control the functional blocks 13a and 13b of the circuit device based on the comparison result stored in the memory 11. This control is performed in response to the value of resistor 4 programmed according to the principles of the present invention.

In order to implement the proposed principle, only the additional pin 2 on the chip 1 is needed, since the resistor 6 connected to pin 3 is originally required as a reference resistor. The additional resistor 4 can be an external resistor that is simple and low cost and has low tolerance requirements. By selecting the magnitude of the resistance value of the resistor element 4, various programming or operation modes in the circuit device can be selected.

Since the analog / digital converter of the comparator 9 has a logarithmic characteristic curve, the requirement regarding the tolerance of the resistor 4 was further reduced.

In the control unit 12, for each adjustable operation mode, a number of parameters such as the supply voltage potential of a specific functional block 13a, 13b, the reference current level, the power-on sequence, etc. are stored in the boot ROM. Is preferred. The boot ROM is provided so that mask programming is possible by changing the metallization. This ROM addressing is performed based on the result of the comparator 9. Thus, a number of usable start-up sequences, one of which can be selected using resistor 4, is defined by the metallization mask and is selected during use depending on the value of element 4 being programmed.

Note that the flexibility in the control unit 12 can be further expanded by implementing the ROM as a programmable ROM and having a Zener fuse or a poly fuse for this purpose.

The above-described principle is preferably applicable to the control of start-up sequences, particularly in voltage supply uniformity, English power management unit, PMU.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the IC device of FIG. The circuit of FIG. 2 corresponds to the almost identical circuit of FIG. 1 in both structure and advantageous function and will not be described repeatedly as far as these points are concerned. However, in place of the programmed resistor 4 and reference resistor 6, the programmed capacitor 15 and reference capacitor 16 are provided in the circuit of FIG. These are similarly connected between the external connection portions 2 and 3 of the chip 1 and the reference potential portion 5.

The reference capacitor 16 is provided as a filter capacitor in the chip 1 of FIG. 2 in order to operate at least one functional block 13a, 13b.

When the comparator 9 and the signal source 14 are activated, the capacitors 15 and 16 are charged by the signal source 14 on the input unit 10 side, applied to the input units 7 and 8 of the comparator 9, and the capacitance values Cprog and Cref of the capacitors 15, 16 The dependent signal is evaluated by a comparator. Other functions correspond to those already described in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1, and the circuit of FIG. 2 is almost identical to that of FIG. 1 in structure and advantageous function. The description of the drawings regarding these points will not be repeated. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, instead of the external reference resistor 6, a built-in reference resistor 17 connected between the input unit 8 of the comparator 9 and the internal reference potential connection unit 5 ′ is provided. Thereby, the external connection pin 3 of the chip 1 is omitted.

Embodiments of the present invention require a small number of external connection pins in the chip, particularly when an external reference element is required, for example, to generate an accurate reference signal or as a filter element. It has the effect of being suitable for use.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the circuit of FIG. In the circuit of FIG. 4, a built-in capacitor 18 is provided instead of the external reference capacitor 16 of FIG. The capacitor 18 is connected between the input unit 8 of the comparator 9 and the reference potential unit 5 ′.

As in FIG. 3, the connection pins, that is, the connection portions 3 are omitted. The illustrated embodiment is suitable for use when an external filter capacitor is not specifically required as a reference element.

If the values of the reference elements 17, 18 in FIGS. 3 and 4 are subject to large manufacturing variations with respect to their design values, it may be advantageous to provide adjustment means to adjust the respective internal passive reference elements 17, 18 .

Other passive elements can be used in place of the resistors and capacitors shown as reference elements and programmed and readable elements in the embodiments.

It should be noted that the above description of the embodiment according to the present invention is used only for the purpose of illustration, and is not used for limiting the present invention. In addition, various modifications and applications can be made within the normal scope of the present invention without departing from the scope and equivalents of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the 1st Example of the IC apparatus concerning this invention which has two external resistors. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Example of the IC apparatus concerning this invention which has two external capacitors. It is a figure which shows the 3rd Example of the IC apparatus concerning this invention which has one external resistor. It is a figure which shows the 4th Example of the IC apparatus concerning this invention which has one external capacitor | condenser.

Claims (18)

A first input (7) for connecting a readable external element (4, 15) having a value (Rprog, Cprog) consisting of a predetermined set of values, a reference element having a readable reference value ( 6, 18) connected to the second input unit (8), the output unit, the comparator (9) connected to one connection unit (2) of the IC device, and at least the IC device (1) An IC device (1) comprising a control unit (12) connected to the comparator (9) in order to control one functional block (13a, 13b) according to the comparison result of the comparator. A signal source (14) for generating a reference signal is provided, and the signal source is connected to a readable external element (4, 15) to read each element value (Prog, Rref, Cprog, Cref) 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit device is connected to a connecting portion and a reference element (6, 16, 17, 18). 3. The circuit device according to claim 2, wherein the readable external element (4, 15) is connected to the reference potential connection (5) at a further connection. 4. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the comparator (9) includes an analog / digital converter for outputting a comparison result in a digital manner. 5. The circuit device according to claim 4, wherein the analog / digital converter has a logarithmic characteristic curve. The reference element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reference element can be connected as an external element (6, 16) to yet another connection portion (3) of the IC device (1). Circuit device. 6. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the reference element is provided as an internal element (17, 18) of the IC device (1). 8. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the reference element (6, 17) and the readable element (4) are each formed as a resistor. 8. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the reference element (16, 18) and the readable element (15) are each formed as a capacitor. A plurality of functional blocks (13a, 13b) controlled by the control unit (12) with respect to supply voltage, reference voltage and / or power-on sequence are provided. The circuit device described in 1. A volatile memory (11) is connected between the output unit of the comparator (9) and the control unit (12) for temporarily storing the comparison result of the comparator (9). Item 11. The circuit device according to any one of Items 1 to 10. A memory block (19) is provided for storing control parameters for a plurality of operation modes of at least one of the functional blocks (13a, 13b) of the IC device (1), and this memory block is provided in the control unit (12). One of the operation modes stored in accordance with the comparison result of the comparator (9) is activated. The circuit device described in 1. The comparator (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the comparator (9) has a start input unit (10) for starting the comparator (9) after the IC device (1) is powered on. The circuit device described. Reading the values (Rprog, Cprog) of external elements (4, 15) connected to the IC device,
Compare the read values (Rprog, Cprog) with the reference values (Rref, Cref) to obtain the comparison result,
Output a selection signal for controlling the IC device (1) according to the comparison result,
IC device programming method including steps. The method according to claim 14, wherein the circuit device (1) is set from one of a plurality of predetermined operating states to one operating state in response to the selection signal. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the value (Rprog, Cprog) of the external element (4, 15) connected to the IC device is read by applying a reference signal to the element. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the reference values (Rref, Cref) are represented by the values of the reference elements (6, 16, 17, 18) and are read out by applying the reference signal as well. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the comparison result is obtained when the IC device is powered on and temporarily stored in a volatile memory (11).

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